If Steel Mills Were Operated Like Public Education
​All that matters would be the paperwork managers submit to prove they are providing state-of-the-art instruction on the proper temperatures necessary to forge the alloy, what the iron-to-carbon ratio should be, and how to care for the equipment safely.
No one verifies any of this, by the way; the supervisors just scan the reports and check boxes on their compliance paperwork.
-
​The managers on the prowl for a promotion further document that they are emphasizing steelmaking concepts daily by pulling workers into small groups to provide extra tutoring and enrichment, a recognized best practice in steelmaking.
-
​Every manager also submits data to prove at least 80% of their workers passed a quiz on the difference between iron and iron ore.
-
​The mill itself supplies data that nearly 3/4 of its workforce, including management and labor, possess advanced degrees in steelmaking.
​
-
Meanwhile, the mill is putting out a product that cannot reliably support any structure requiring steel girders in its design.
​
-
In spite of this, the mill is given an excellent rating by the Department of Steel because its paperwork is in order and its testing data shows that certain, hand-picked girders have passed all stress tests. Due to its excellent rating, the steel mill is awarded more money to continue its good work.​
​
Read more about No Child Left Behind here:
This is public education today.
​
When you create a law that rewards paperwork over substance, eventually all that matters is the paperwork.
​
And that is the legacy of No Child Left Behind and the fleet of legislative boondoggles that came after.
​
The result is CHAOS in our schools.
